My 84 500 SEC (126) with the 722.311 Transmission is refusing to upshift except at redline from what is Either 1st or 2nd gear. Reverse is fine. The engagement of both reverse and the forward gear is without incident. No delay, slippage, clunk or other abnormality. The Kickdown switch under the accelerator pedal is working. Kickdown solenoid that screws into the tail shaft of the transmission is operational; I removed it and bench tested the needle valve while powering up with 12V. Needle valve shifts at the application of power (I was blowing into the valve) allowing passage of air and in the proper location I suspect transmission fluid. Valve closes again as power is interrupted ATF has a flavor a bit like chicken.

Transmission pan was dropped and was as clean as a whistle. I have thus exonerated the valve body for now. The Bowden cable has not come loose and does not appear to be stuck. I can operate the lever inside the pan and feel tension at the firewall as it is connected to the throttle linkage. The plastic governor drive gear was a suspect but I do not believe the car would upshift at all if the governor was malfunctioning. Is this an accurate assumption? The speedometer, which is often indicative of governor failure is working properly. I plan to have the governor pressure tested next week. I believe that I should see pressure drop @10 P.S.I. as R.P.M.'s are increased from 1000 to 3000. If pressures remain constant the governor is the culprit. Can anyone confirm this?

I have read the posts pertaining to B2 piston failure but remain a bit unclear on the matter. Is it the case that with a stuck B2 all forward gears must fail? My understanding is that B2 is engaged in all forward gears except 4th. B2 acting alone in 1st, joined with B1 in 2nd; Dropping B1 and adding K1 for third and allowing K1 and K2 to take over the duties for 4th gear.

Any light that can be shed on these matters would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for any replies.